Means for handling, holding, storing, and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric, and other material in the form of rolls



Mgrch 11, 1930.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. ELLIOTT MEANS FOR HANDLING, HOLDING, STORING, AND DISPLAYING ROLLS OF LINOLEUM, FABRIC, AND

OTHER MATERIAL IN THE FORM 0F ROLLS Filed Sept 5, 1925 March ll, 1330. H. ELLIOTT 1,750,582

MEANS FOR HANDLING, HOLDING, STORING, AND DISPLAYING ROLLS OF LINOLEUM, FABRIC, AND

OTHER MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF' ROLLS Filed sept. 5, 1925 :s sheets-Sheet 2 2 8 3 5 0 n 5 M nl, Q M 1.. S Tv e m D N S A 3 March 1l, 1930. H. ELLIOT-r MEANS FOR HANDLING, HOLDING, STORING, AND DISPLAYING ROLLS OF LINOLEUM, FABRIC,

OTHER MATERIAL IN THE FORM 0F ROLLS Filed Sept. 5. 1925 Patented Mar, 11, 1930 PATENT OFFICE HENRY ELLIOTT, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND MEANS FOR HANDLING, HOLDING, STORING, AND DISLAYING ROLLS OF LINOLEUM, FABRIC, AND OTHER IJIATEREAI, IN THE FORM OF` ROLLS Application filed September 5, 1925, Serial No. 54,720, and in Great Britain September 19, 1924.

This invention comprises an improved apu paratus for storing, handling and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric, and other material in the form of rolls.

5; My invention has for its object to provide an improved system or apparatus for storing, handling and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric and other goods in the form of rolls and which will be easy to operate and 10will occupy comparatively little space and Will be cheaper in construction than apparatus heretofore proposed for the same purpose.

According to my invention the improved iiapparatus comprises in, combination a series of superimposed supporting brackets provided with bearings inV which shafts can be rotatably supported, a series of clutch members, shafts for insertion in the cores of the enrolls, said shaft having means for securing an inner coil of the roll to said shafts, double truncated cone members or other guiding means adapted to co-act with said brackets and carried by said shafts, means for :23 raising and lowering the rolls with shafts therein to and from 'said brackets, means to operate the clutches selectively and means to rotate any selected shaft with roll thereon through the corresponding clutches.

The combination and arrangement is such that a shaft can be inserted in the coreof a roll, an inner coil secured thereto and the shaft then raised, the double truncated cone members or other guiding means co-operat- :Tjing with one of 'the lowest pairs of vacant brackets and thereby serving to guide the shaft so that when the latter rests in the bearings provided therefor it occupies a definite position in alignment with the corresponding clutch.

By selectively operating the-clutches any selected roll can then be unrolled Vby rotating a crank shaft or other suitable operatingr crank shaft or other operating means through.

53 a clutch which can be operated at will.

On the accompanying drawings Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation of the preferred form of my improved apparatus.

Figure 2 an end elevation looking to the right.

Figure 3 an end elevation looking to the left showing more clearly the means for raising and lowering the rolls, and

Figure i is a plan View thereof.

Figure 5 illustrates a plan view of one of the rolls together' with the brackets and clutch.

Figure (i illustrates one of the shafts with means for securing or nipping the inner coil of the roll thereto.

Figure 7 is an end View of the shaft looking to the right.

Figure 8 is an elevation of a preferred device for securing the roll to the shaft a few coils of a roll being shown in section, and Figure 9 is an end elevation of such device.

Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of the improved Vclutch by which the rolls are rotated.

Figure 11 is a view of said clutch looking to the right.

Figure 12 is an elevation of the clutch for thewinding gear.

Figure 13 is an elevation of a shaft with expanding members, and Figure 14 is across section on the line 11i-14, Figure 13.

Figure 15 illustrates a modification of the expanding member.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates the supporting brackets, 2 the shafts, 3 the rolls and 4 the raising and low`1 ering bands.

Each of the supporting brackets is formed with a'semiscircular bearing 1a, see Fig. 2, an inclined projecting portion 1b and a rounded guiding portion or face 1C, the inner extremities of the brackets being secured to upright supports 5.

Located towards the right side of the apparatus is an upright wooden or other structure 8. The upper part of this structure 8 is shown broken awa in Figure 1.

Each of the shafts 2, is provied with a double'cone shape or flanged guide member 9 at one extremity thereof and which member' has secured thereto or formed integral therewith a projection 10 which forms one member of a clutch.

On said shafts are two collars or yokes 11 within which are accommodated the inverted U shape end of the fingers 12, see Figures 8 and 9.

Pinch screws 18 threaded within internally threaded bosses 14 on said yokes or collars are arranged to act on said invertedL U portion of the fingers so that said fingers can secure or nip an inner coil or coils of the roll thereto as will be hereafter explained.

The raising and lowering means for the rolls consists of the two bands 4, winding drums therefor 15, and idle pulleys 1G, the latter being supported by the projecting arms 17.

The free ends of said bands are provided with hooks or the like 18a for attachment to the cross angle irons 18" and 18C, the former extending between the uprights 5 and the latter supported by brackets 18d secured to said upright.

The gear for effecting the raising and lowering of the rolls and also for unrolling the rolls and rerolling the unwound portion consists of a vertical rod 19, bevel wheels 2O keyed thereon at spaced distances apart, a bevel wheel 21 in mesh with one of said bevel wheels 20, a hand operating lever 22 therefor, bevel wheels 23 meshing with the other bevel wheels 20 and clutches by which the winding` drums or any selected roll can be rota-ted from the bevel wheels 20.

The clutches for the rolls each consists of a spindle 24, Figures 10 and 11, a clutch member 25 capable of a limited axial movement on said spindle and having a recess 25a, into which the projection 10 of the shaft in alignment therewith can fit, and a helical spring 2G tending to force the said member 25 into engagement with the projection 10. On the other end of the spindle 24 is the bevel wheel 23 in engagement with the corresponding bevel wheel 20, the spindle 24 being capable of a limited aXial movement with respect to the bevel wheel thereon against the action of a second spiral spring 27. 'The adjacent ends of the springs bear against a pin 26a carried by the spindle 24. Each spindle 24 is provided with a key 29 adapted to engage with a keyway 30 cut in the bevel wheels 28.

On each spindle is a loose collar 31 to which is attached a chain 32 or other operating means. A pin 83 carried by the spindle 24 and working in a slot in the clutch member 25 permits of relative axial movement of the latter but prevents any relative rotary movement.

The clutch for the winding drum 5 is of a somewhat similar construction but only a single spring 33a is employed which tends to move both the spindle and clutch member 33h axially so that the clutch member is retained in engagement with a corresponding clutch member or pin 33C on the shaft 33e of the winding drum and the key of the spindle fits into the key way of the bevel wheel 33d on said spindle.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows Assume that it is desired to raise a roll to the vacant brackets shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. rhe raising bands 4 are passed below the roll to be raised, brought over in front of the roll immediately below said brackets and then to the rear of the rolls immediately above, the extremities of the bands being then attached to the cross angle iron 18b as shown in Figure 3.

By means of a. chain or the like the top spindle 24 is released to move under the action of its spring sp that its key is brought into engagement with the bevel wheels 33d and by operating the bevel gearing by means of the hand lever 22 the said bands are gradually wound on their drums thereby raising the roll.

Vhen raised to a suitable height the shaft 2 is inserted through the core of the roll, one of the yokes or collars 11 being previously removed to permit this to be done and then replaced. The fingers 12 are forced in between the coils or layers so that on the operation of the pinch screws 13 one or more of the inner layers is, or are, secured or nipped betweenthe fingers and shaft.

The rotation of the winding drum is again proceeded with to raise the roll. During such movement the roll on the brackets immediately below the vacant brackets serves to guide and steady the upwardly moving roll and thereafter the guide faces 1 of the vacant brackets co-act with the projecting ends of the' shaft and guide same until clear of said brackets.

The double cone shape member 9 co-acts with the two sides of the bracket on the right so that the shaft with roll thereon is prevented from axial movement and further ensures that the shaft will ultimately assume its correct position with respect to the cooperating clutch member 25.

Immediately the shaft clears the vacant brackets the winding drums are operated to lower the roll and the shaft with roll thereon runs down the inclined faces 1b into the semicircular bearings 1a of the brackets 1.

It will be understood that all the clutches are in the disengaged position with the exception of the clutch operating the winding drums.

Now assume it is desired to unroll any of the rolls. This may be done by'simply pulling the free or outer end of the linoleum or the like or by bringing the corresponding clutch members into operation and operating the lever 22, the clutch of the winding drum having -been previously disengaged.

lVhen a clutch member 25 and 'spindle 24 are moved under the action of the springs, the key 29 will probably not register with the key Way 30 in the corresponding bevel wheel and likewise the two clutch members will probably not register.

On the rotation of the bevel wheel 23 by the operation of the hand lever 22 the spindle will probably remain stationary until brought opposite the key and the spindle will thereon partake of a slight axial movement so that the key moves into the key way. The bevel wheel 23 and spindle 24 with clutch member 25 will then be positively rotated.

When the recess 25a in said member registers with the projection l() the clutch meinbers will be brought into engagement under the action of the spring 24, thereby rotating the corresponding shaft 2 and roll thereon so that the latter. is unwound, the unwound portion moving down the front of the apparatus.

Should the spindle 24 rotate with the bevel wheel 23 before the key positively engages therewith, the clutch members will first come into engagement, the spindle thereafter remaining stationary until the key registers with the key ways.

By reversing the direction of rotation the unwound portion can be rewound.

If desired the lower edge of the unwound portion can be attached to an empty shaft by means of the said fingers and the linoleum or the like rolled on to said shaft, theempty shaft being then rotated by bringing` the corresponding clutch into operation, all the other clutches being disengaged. of utilizing the apparatus to its maximum capacity an auxiliary spindle 2 indicated in chain dotted lines Figure 1 is supported in bearings 2b secured to the underside of` a pair of the lower brackets. The unrolled edge of the linoleum or the like is secured to the said spindle 2a and the latter rotated by means of a lever or gearing to wind the unrolled material thereon.

A measuring device may be providedto indicate the length of material wound on said shaft.

To lower a roll the bands 4 are carried round the roll, then to the front of the roll immediately above and the free ends attached overhead to the cross angle iron 18c as indicated in chain dotted lines Figure 3.

By such arrangement when the roll is raised it will automatically clear the brackets.

As Stated the said clutches are preferably moved against the action of the .springs by means of chains 32 and by passing said chains through irregular, for example, key hole openings the clutches can be held in the oif position by causing one of the links of each chain nto engage the side ofsaid holes.

r with a view To permit any one oftheclutches to func-A tion it is only necessary to disengage the link of the correspondingchain fromthe side of the opening, the chain then passing through l ment of the clutch and arranged to engagefrictionally the end of the shaft 2 or conical or like guide member 9.

The spindle of the winding drum'is provided with a ratchet wheel 52 and a co-operating spring loaded pawl 53 prevents the rotation of the drums but can be moved clear of the ratchet wheel by a chain or the like 52a when it is desired to lower a roll.

ln Figures 13, 14 and 15 an expanding device is shown by which a roll can be secured on its shaft. Such device as shown in Figures 13 and 14 each consists of a number of elements 4() connected by links 41 at each end thereof with the conical members 42 and 43, the lements being cut at their ends to receive said members.

The conical members 42 are fixed onthe shaft but the members 43 are capable of an axial movement. Nuts 44 screwed on a threaded portion of the shaft are arranged to bear on the members 43.

llilhen the shaft is inserted in the core of a roll the nuts 44 are turned to force the conical members 43 inwardly, and by the inclined plane action of the conical members the elements 40 are forced outwards to assume the position shown in chain dotted lines and thereby securing the roll to the shaft.

in Figure l5 a similar expanding device is shown midway between the two ends of the shaft.

The shaft is hollow and the middle expanding device is operated by means of a central rod carrying a cross spindle 46 which acts on the movable conical member to force the elements apart.

To facilitate such shafts being inserted in a core of soft material such as cloth and to prevent the material being damaged in doing so I may provide a light metal sleeve 47, see Figure l5, which can be inserted in the roll, the shaft then inserted in the sleeve and the latter then withdrawn.

Such expanding devices may be used in combination with the nipping fingers previously described. Where the roll has a relatively large core these devices would be used to first position the roll concentrically with the shaft and thereafter the fingers used to nip the inner coil, or coils, on the outer face of said devices.

lVhere the rolls are provided with. wooden'.

centre poles or cores the latter may be bored and spindles inserted therein, the outwardly projecting sides of said spindles being rotatably supported by the brackets.

Rubber or like cores may be provided to bear against the ends of the rolls and secure same to their shafts.

lVhat I claim is 1. Apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a series of superimposed supporting brackets provided with bearings in which shafts can be rotatablyT supported, a series of clutches, shafts for insertion in the cores of the rolls, said shafts having means for securing an inner coil of the roll thereto, means for raising and lowering the rolls with shafts therein to and from said brackets, means to guide and bring the shafts in a definite position on said brackets and in alignment with the co-operating clutches, means to operate the clutches selectively to engage any selected shaft and means to rotate the selected shaft with roll thereon through the corresponding clutch.

2. An apparatus for handling, storing and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric and other rolled goods comprising the combination of a series of vertically arranged brackets with shafts to be inserted in the cores of the rolls, a series of clutches, means on said shafts to co-act with said brackets and guide the shafts into a definite position in alignment with the corresponding clutches, means for securing the rolls to their shafts, means f-or raising and lowering the shafts with rolls thereon to and from said brackets, means for selectively operating said clutches so as to engage any selected shaft with roll thereon and means for rotating the selected roll through the corresponding clutch and shaft.`

3. An apparatus for handling, storing and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric and other rolled goods comprising the combination of a series of vertically arranged brackets with shafts to be inserted in the cores of the rolls, a flanged member on said shafts to co-aet with said brackets and prevent longitudinal movement of the shafts, means for securing the rolls to their shafts, means for raising the shaft with rolls thereon to and from said brackets, a series of vertically arranged clutches corresponding in number to said brackets, means for selectively operating the clutches to engage with any selected shaft and means to rotate said shaft with roll thereon through the corresponding clutch.

4l. An apparatus for handling, storing and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric and other rolled goods comprising in combination a series of vertically arranged brackets, shafts to be inserted in the cores of the' rolls, half clutch members at one end of the shafts, a series of corresponding co-operating half clutch members to engage therewith, means for raising the shafts with rolls thereon and depositing them on the brackets, means for guiding said shafts so that-the half clutch members carried thereby occupy a definite position with respect to the co-operatin g half clutch members, means for selectively operating said clutches and means for rotating any selected shaft with roll thereon through the corresponding co-operating half clutch members.

5. An apparatus for handling, storing and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric and other rolled goods comprising the combination of a series of vertically arranged brackets with shafts to be inserted in the cores of the rolls and means whereby the shafts with rolls thereon can be raised, deposited, and rotatably supported on said brackets, means for securing the rolls to their shafts, half clutch members on the ends of said shafts, a series of spindles, complimentary half clutch members carried by said spindles and capable of an axial movement thereon, gear wheels on said spindles, spring means tending to force the cc-operating half clutch members into engagement, independent spring means tending to force the spindle axially with respect to their gear wheels, means whereby the clutch members of any selected roll can be brought into engagement, and means whereby any selected roll can be driven through its clutch.

6. An apparatus for handling, storing and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric and other rolled goods comprising the combination of a series of vertically arranged brackets, shafts to be inserted in the cores of the rolls, means for raising the shaft with roll thereon comprising winding drums, flexible bands secured to said drums, means for securing the free ends of said bands so as to form loops for the reception of rolls to be raised or lowered, gearing to operate any selected shaft or winding drums, clutches interposed between said gearing and shafts and between said gearing and winding drums, means to selectively operate said clutches and means to rotate any selected shaft and winding drums through said gearing and corresponding Clutch.

7. An apparatus for handling, storing and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric and other rolled goods comprising the combination of a series of vertically arranged brackets each bracket having a bearing, an upper inclined face descending to said bearing, and an inclined front or nose portion, in combination with shafts to be inserted in the cores of the rolls, means to raise the shafts With rolls thereon and deposit them on the upper inclined upper face of the brackets so that they run into bearings provided therefor, means to guide said shaft axially, means to secure the rolls to their shaft, gearing to rotate said winding drums and said shafts, means to operate said gearing, clutches to operatively connect said gearing with said shafts and with said raising and lowering means and means for selectively operating said clutches.

8. An apparatus for handling, storing and displaying rolls of linoleum, fabric and other rolled goods comprising a series of vertically yarranged pairs of brackets, a series of clutches, a clutch being located substantially in alignment with each pair of brackets, shafts to he inserted in the cores of the rolls, means for raising the rolls with shafts therec in and depositing the shafts on said brackets,

. means for selectively operating the clutches to engage with any selected shaft; and gear- A ing adapted to rotate any selected shaft means adapted to guide the shafts into deinite positions on the brackets, gearing, clutches interposed between said gearing and the shafts carried by said brackets, a clutch interposed between the gearing and the raising and lowering means, and means for selectively operating any of said clutches to cause the element controlled thereby to be rotated by said gearing through the selected clutch.

HENRY ELLIOTT. 

